The Pope's Last Public Mass. February 14, 2013

Last night I went to the Ash Wednesday Mass at st Peter's which happened to be Pope Benedict's last public mass. I sat there and was moved by the prayer and silence of over 15,000 people gathered in one massive church building sensing the sadness as the Pope quietly presided.
Life usually changes slowly and with little actual awareness of time moving forward and even slipping away. The resignation of Benedict awakened me to how change can sometimes enter one's life suddenly and with no preparation.

We all have had those experiences that jar us into realizes that time moves forward and we need to discern how we are using the time given to us. Lent is a perfect season to examine how we are using time. Are we wasting the time given us by remaining in a rut? What exactly do we do with our time? How is it being filled?

A sabbatical is "time" to renew and make the needed changes in how one is going to spend the time given to live a life rooted in meaning and purpose. Sometimes we just need to let go of that which is holding us back. Time can be consumed by our fears, discouragement, pessimism , lack of focus and apathy.

The end of my time of sabbatical is nearing its end, just as the church is about to engage in a huge transition of leadership and vision. In all of life's changes and transitions there is one constant : CHRIST. He will lead us , carry us and guide us. And if necessary, he will will rescue us from being overwhelmed by the turbulent waters of life. As he did for Peter he will do for us: grasp our hand and bring us to safety.

One of the cardinals spoke after communion thanking the pope for his service to the church and his deep humility. He said that a veil of sadness has covered the hearts of the people. But the cardinal poignantly reminded Benedict and us: the church belongs to Christ. The same can be said for you and me: we belong to Christ, our shepherd, our friend, our savior.
We all need to spend more time with Him. Buen camino. Padre